I’m
embarrassed to admit that I shuffled this book to the bottom of my “to read”
pile more than a couple of times. I didn’t look at the front cover and I rarely
read book blurbs because I prefer to experience the author’s writing without
any preconceived notions (or the names and/or circumstances of the
soon-to-be-dead). Unfortunately, I kept thinking, wrongly so, that PROSPECT FOR MURDER was a book involving gold
mining or some such. If I’d only read the back cover book blurb, I would have
known there wasn’t the slightest possible chance that this was a mystery
involving mineral mining of any sort!

Also, if I had just peeked inside, I would have discovered
that the author provides a cast of characters. I love books with casts of
characters! (Possibly even mystery books with a mining setting, although I’m
not 100% positive about that.)

Enough silliness about me.

PROSPECT FOR MURDER is a murder
mystery set in Honolulu. Natalie Seachrist is a 50-ish, semi-retired
journalist, whose friend Keoni Hewiit, a retired homicide detective, has asked
her to help him out on a research project.

Suddenly, Natalie’s world is impacted by a terrifying
vision. Throughout her life, since early childhood, Natalie has experienced
visions. This time, the vision involves the gruesome death of someone close to
her, her grandniece Ariel.

As the local police continue the official investigation
without much progress, Natalie devises a plan to carry out her own
investigation into Ariel’s death. Natalie and her cat, Miss Una, take up
residence in the apartment complex where Ariel died. She enlists the help of
her friend Keoni.

The reader’s attention will be captured the on page one of
the prologue with the author’s descriptive writing style. Readers will quickly
warm to the protagonist, Natalie, her cat Miss Una, and the many other
memorable characters.

The pacing of the narrative was perfect. The characters
were well-developed, the storyline plausible, and the author’s descriptive
writing skill will leave readers wanting more Natalie Seachristand Miss Una stories…and very likely the
reader will wish that they could know Natalie personally.

I think Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher fans will be especially
delighted with PROSPECT FOR MURDER and I do hope there will be further sleuthing
opportunities for Natalie!